Projects

The azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea are a global icon of a coastal paradise, and have sustained civilisations for millennia. However, the Mediterranean is in crisis; fish stocks are 96% overfished, while its waters are under pressure from pollution, shipping and mass tourism. Its shark species are under risk of extinction, while illegal fishing in the Mediterranean is rampant.

The Our Fish team went to Malta in October 2017, where the EU Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella hosted the global Our Ocean Conference. But while delegates sipped cocktails and congratulated each other about their plans, the surrounding Mediterranean Sea continues to suffer the effects of overfishing; an embarrassing example of the EU’s failure to implement the Common Fisheries Policy, and end overfishing. Our Fish were on hand to remind the EU of its obligation to protect Mediterranean waters.